Inside the Wedding Planner's White Book

Amy ~ Britta (1st girl on the left)

This week for "Inside the Wedding Planner's White Book" we are featuring Not From a Box. Not From a Box, Inc. is the exclusive online destination for unique, stylish invitations. Amy and Britta take the time to hear your likes and dislikes about invitations and what you envision for your day. Then they work from there to create your custom designed wedding invitations, mitzvah invitations, Quinceanera invitations, Sweet 16 party invitations, and invitations for corporate and charity events. We know how important it is to have just the right invitation because this is the first introduction to your wedding or event. Not From a Box's designs get your guests excited to come to your wedding or event just from the uniqueness of the invitation. Because their invitations are not mass-produced, they have the freedom to design for each client based on their specific colors, event style and budget. That means that every one of their clients receives a custom-designed invitation package, one-on-one collaboration with graphic designers and event professionals, and ultimately, stylish one-of-a-kind invitations. Find out more about these two great ladies, who know how to make your day stand out from the rest!

What do you love most about weddings? BRITTA - I love the purpose of a wedding. The bringing of two families together for a celebration of love, hope and the future. AMY - I love the tradition of it. I love that so many people, over the course of thousands of years, have recited and pledged their love and devotion in the same ways, and in the same words as their ancestors and people of their same beliefs and religions. And regardless of what religion, it’s all about pledging love and devotion to each another.

How do you continue to challenge yourself in this industry? BRITTA - This industry is always changing, so I make it my business to know who is doing what and how did they get it. AMY - I approach this industry the same way I approach the management of a small business: never rest on your laurels. We don’t always know where or when the next client will come through the door, so I work hard each and every day so that I can continue to make a living at doing what I truly love to do.

What do you think is the most important thing each couple that works with you needs to know? BRITTA - That we are 100% here to provide amazing customer service, a beautiful product and tangible lasting memories. AMY - That regardless of how much or how little they are spending, my first priority is to give them a beautiful product and a stress-free experience.

The famous Bernard Pivot questionnaire:

What is your favorite word? BRITTA - Food AMY - Home
What is your least favorite word? BRITTA - No AMY - Hate
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? BRITTA - Feeling 100% loved AMY -Walking on the beach with my family, collecting seashells and hearing my children laugh (a little cliché, but completely true)
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? BRITTA - Feeling abandoned and misunderstood AMY - Negativity and complaining
What sound or noise do you love? BRITTA - Laughter AMY - The Peruvian musicians that play in the Subway in NYC; it’s the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard.
What sound or noise do you hate? BRITTA - Screaming AMY - Grinding Teeth
What is your favorite curse word? BRITTA - Shit AMY - Shit. It’s just so versatile!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? BRITTA - Acting AMY -Journalism. I can be pretty nosey.
What profession would you not like to do? BRITTA - Wedding planner AMY - Teacher. One of the hardest jobs in the world.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? BRITTA - Welcome home, your friends and family are waiting in the dining room for you. AMY - “Thank you for doing my work, come in and stay as long as you like.”

You can visit Amy and Britta at www.notfromabox.com to view their galleries and see more of their gorgeous custom designed work!

DETAILS MATTER ~ The Dos and Don'ts of Toasting

The Dos and Don’ts of Toasting

Depending on where you are in the planning process, it might seem early to think about who will be toasting you at the reception. But it’s best to give toast-makers ample time to write a speech. If you have a feeling there will be a few guests wanting to get on the mic, ask the best man or the maid of honor to find out who wants to speak. And if you prefer that some of those people not give toasts, have your point person explain that you and the groom are limiting the toasts to make time for dancing.

~Compliments of Real Simple Weddings

SEMI Planner Pick ~ Godiva Chocolate Cake Wedding

SEMI Planner Pick ~ Godiva Milk Chocolate Wedding Cake filled with Dark Chocolate Ganache. This delicious wedding cake chocolate favor was inspired by renowned New York cake artist, Sylvia Weinstock! Godiva's Wedding Cake Chocolate Favors are sure to provide a fairytale ending for every guest. Their Couture Cakes are the best in wedding favors for the discerning eye and palate. Your guests will thank you for it!

SEMI Planner Pick ~ Versailles Chair

If you are looking for something new and different to add to your wedding or event, check out the Versailles Chair!
We just love the look of the Versailles Chair and that is why we made this our SEMI Planner Pick! It adds just the right element of glitz and glamour to your event!

Real Wedding ~ Mr. and Mrs. Collier

This past Saturday, we had the honor of being a part of Ginny and Chase Collier's wedding day. It was an amazing day full of friends and family. They said their vows at the St. John's Episcopal Church and celebrated at an incredible private residence in Tampa. The guests enjoyed a live acoustic band, drinking, and fabulous food provided by Luigi's Catering and sushi provided by SOHO Sushi. Wright's Gourmet designed the wedding cake and also the groom's cake also known as the birthday cake. The day was made extra special as the guests sang, Happy Birthday to the groom because it was also his birthday. Aaron Lockwood Photography captured the most precious moments for Ginny and Chase! We can't wait to share the photos with you! It was amazing!

The Little White Book:

Day of Coordinator: Stonehouse Events & More, Inc. of course!

Photographer: Aaron Lockwood Photography

Rentals: PKS Rentals

Catering: Luigi's Catering

Catering: SoHo Sushi

Cake: Wright's Gourmet

Entertainment: Ben Bryan Band

Flowers: The Potting Shed

Transportation: Ambassador Limousines

Valet: VIP Parking

Hair and Makeup: Artistic Hair and Makeup

A big thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who made the day extra special!

TRENDS & STYLE ~ Inspirational Vision Boards

We just LOVE this vision board for a beach wedding! The colors are just gorgeous and are a beautiful contrast to the neutral tones at the beach. Enjoy all of the fine details to this SUNTASTIC Wedding!

SEMI Etiquette Tips ~ Invitation Don'ts

When getting ready to create your wedding invitations, remember this list of don'ts! You will not want to include any of this information on your wedding invitation.

The inclusion of "No Gifts", you can use the family grape vine to share this information with guests.

Bulletin board invitations - it is not a good idea to post an invitation on the bulletin board because it implies everyone is invited.

Dictating dress on the invitation, you can always add this to the reception invitation or response card.

Don't underestimate your time and how much additional time it takes to order your invitations.

Don't offend your guests by inviting them last minute.

Alcohol information is unnecessary to put on the invitation.

Information Courtesy of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition

TRENDS & STYLES

Looking for a unique way to display your escort cards on your wedding day? We love the idea of "The Frame Up"! Display calligraphed names grouped according to table in frames. You can paint the frames in colors that fit in with your wedding color palette and assign each a table number. Just remember to get your RSVP's a few weeks earlier so you can give your calligrapher enough time or you may even be able to print them right off of your computer.

Photo credits Martha Stewart Weddings

SEMI Etiquette Tips ~ Choosing your Attendants

When you begin envisioning who will be in your bridal party, there are many things to consider. Here are some new rules for choosing your attendants and some helpful tips to make this process easier.

There is no required number of attendants. ~ You can have has many or as few as you would like. We recommend choosing the people that really mean a lot to you. Try asking yourself this question, if you looked at your life 5 years from now, would these individuals still play a significant role in your life?

It is not necessary to have an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen/ushers. ~ It is better to have all of the people you really want to stand up for you at the alter than trying to make it even. You can easily have the groomsmen escort 2 bridesmaids in the recessional or bridesmaids can walk alone or in pairs.

You can have 2 maids of honor, a maid and a matron of honor, or 2 best men. ~ Sometimes you have 2 people that you really want to have stand up for you. You can easily just have them share duties!

Brides and grooms can have attendants of the opposite sex. ~ Honor Attendant, is the modern term for an attendant of the opposite sex. Many brides and grooms seek to pay tribute to their closest friends or brothers or sisters by including them in the bridal party in this unique way.

These are just a few of the new rules for wedding attendants. We think the decision really comes down to the people who play a significant role in your life. We know they would be honored to be a part of your wedding day! Which makes the day that much more special!

Credit: Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition

Inside the Wedding Planner's White Book

This week for "Inside the Wedding Planner's White Book", we are excited to feature Voila Cinematic! Alex and Jocelyn are an amazing husband and wife team that help tell the story of your wedding day from the pre-wedding jitters to your last wave good-bye. Voila Cinematic specializes in luxury wedding films that perfectly capture the class and elegance of your special day. They edit your footage into a documentary style film that tells the story of your wedding day. Alex and Jocelyn work with you to create the wedding film that portrays perfectly the details of your wedding day but also captures the essence of you as a couple. At Voila Cinematic, Alex and Jocelyn believe that emotions should never stand still and nothing captures the sound of his voice as he says "I do", the way you move in your dress, or the music from your first dance like Voila Cinematic film. Find out more about this dynamic couple by reading more below!

What do you love most about weddings?
Alex: The first sight of the daughter and father. I know it should be the bride and groom but seeing the way a father looks at his daughter has changed my life. Now I have such a desire to have a daughter so that I can experience that emotion.

Jocelyn: Being able to spend the day with a group of people who are so happy and full of joy.

How do you continue to challenge yourself in this industry?
Alex: As a former student of film, I watch movies from a different perspective than most people. I study Hollywood films and try to figure out how I can achieve this look in my films. Also, I continually practice my craft by going to film seminars and reading blogs, books, and magazines. I also love to just go out and practice.

Jocelyn: I have always loved school and really valued the importance of education, so I think that I challenge myself by constantly trying to learn more about our industry and the couples that we work with each week.

What do you think is the most important thing each couple that works with you needs to know?
Alex: You will cry when you watch your film. You will feel the emotions. You will watch your film over and over again. We create stories of your day so that you will never forget.

Jocelyn: I think couples should know that I am obsessed with details. The more information I can have, the better.

The famous Bernard Pivot questionnaire:

1. What is your favorite word?
   Alex: copious
   Jocelyn: joyful



2. What is your least favorite word?
   Alex: moist, because my wife is not fond of it so neither am I.
   Jocelyn: Do I have to say it? Alex already said it above me. I despise that word.



3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
   Alex: My wife and God
   Jocelyn: Watching Alex work and seeing the passion he has for his profession, my relationship with God, and great writing.



4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
   Alex: The word “videographer”
   Jocelyn: People who don’t have an original thought just stunt creativity.



5. What sound or noise do you love?
   Alex: Good music
   Jocelyn: Laughter-because it’s contagious.



6. What sound or noise do you hate?
   Alex: the vacuum cleaner
   Jocelyn: heavy metal music



7. What is your favorite curse word?
   Alex: I never curse. I think it shows a lack of intelligence and creativity. It’s just offensive.
   Jocelyn: To be honest, I never cuss. My mom taught me that it wasn’t lady-like, and it just stuck. I like to say “Oh nuts!”



8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
   Alex: Baseball player or Hollywood film director
   Jocelyn: I would love to be a writer.



9. What profession would you not like to do?
   Alex: Sewer maintenance
   Jocelyn: Phlebotomist, too much pressure!



10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
    Alex: “Good job my faithful and loving servant. You were a great father and a great husband and you loved people around you. Welcome home my son.”
    Jocelyn: “You loved well” and “ Your grandpa’s waiting to see you over there.”
    

Thank you Alex and Jocelyn! For more information about Voila Cinematic, visit their website at www.voilacinematic.com! You will be glad that you did!